Polypeptide factors from colostrum

Abstract

IgE binding factors (IgE-bfs) with IgE suppressor (IgE-SF) activity obtainable from human colostrum in an enriched form, a method for the prevention and/or the treatment of allergy by administering the IgE-bfs and pharmaceutical compositions comprising said IgE-bfs.

We claim: 
     
       1. A method for the treatment or prevention of allergic conditions in humans being allergic comprising administering to said humans an antiallergically effective amount of IgE binding factors with IgE suppressor activity obtainable from human colostrum, wherein said IgE binding factors (1) are polypeptides having a molecular weight of between 10 and 25 kilo-dalton as determined by calibrated gel filtration chromatography;   (2) block the binding of IgE to cells bearing receptors for IgE;   (3) suppress in a dose dependent fashion the synthesis of IgE without altering the production of IgM by B lymphoctyes of allergic human donors;   (4) bind to IgE but not to IgG in immunoaffinity chromatography;   (5) have an apparent molecular weight of 14 to 16 kilo-dalton in Western blots; and   (6) retain their biological activity after boiling for 3 min. in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate.   
     
     
       2. A pharmaceutical preparation for the treatment or prevention of allergic condition comprising a conventional pharmaceutically acceptable carrier together with an antiallergically effective amount of IgE binding factors with IgE suppressor activity obtainable from human colostrum, wherein said IgE binding factors (1) are polypeptides having a milecular weight of between 10 and 25 kilo-dalton as determined by calibrated gel filtration chromatography;   (2) block the binding of IgE to cells bearing receptors for IgE;   (3) suppress in a dose dependent fashion the synthesis of IgE without altering the production of IgM by B lymphocytes of allergic human donors;   (4) bind to IgE but not to IgG in immunoaffinity chromatography;   (5) have an apparent molecular weight of 14 to 16 kilo-dalton in Western blots; and   (6) retain their biological activity after boiling for 3 min. in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate.